Super Eagles: 2 reasons Chelle could leave Alebiosu out of November squad

The Super Eagles face Tanzania in a crucial doubleheader in November as they continue their campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Eric Chelle’s side kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar in September. George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor both scored on their debuts as Nigeria came from behind to secure all three points.

However, the Super Eagles suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their second game. The result dealt a major blow to their qualification hopes and saw them lose ground to their Group L rivals.

Nigeria are currently on three points, three behind Guinea-Bissau, with four games left to play. They now have little room for error and must avoid further setbacks if they want to secure qualification for the tournament.

Chelle will be looking to make some changes to his squad for the November fixtures, with the head coach expected to select a strong team capable of getting Nigeria back on track.

One player who missed out on the previous squad was Ryan Alebiosu, who made his Super Eagles debut during the 2025 AFCON tournament in a 3-1 win over Uganda in Nigeria’s final group game.

However, despite making his debut at the tournament, the defender could still miss out on the next squad. 

2 reasons Alebiosu could miss Super Eagles’ November squad

1. High competition at right-back

One major reason Alebiosu could miss out is the intense competition for places at right-back in the Super Eagles squad.

Nigeria have several options in the position, including the likes of Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Abdullahi Bewene. Young centre-back Benjamin Fredrick can also operate in the role, giving Chelle more options to consider when selecting his squad.

Most of these players have more experience at international level than Alebiosu and have spent more time playing for the Super Eagles, which could give them an advantage when the head coach decides who to include for the November fixtures.

Although Alebiosu has shown promise and gained valuable experience at the 2025 AFCON, he still has work to do to establish himself as a regular member of the national team.

Even if his club form remains impressive, Chelle may prefer to rely on players who are more familiar with his system and have a stronger track record with the Super Eagles and Alebiosu could find it difficult to earn a place in the squad.

2. Chelle’s men face a tough task and have no room for error

Another reason Alebiosu could miss out is the importance of Nigeria’s November fixtures and the pressure on Chelle to deliver results.

After losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau, the Super Eagles cannot afford many more mistakes in their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON. With four games remaining, every point will be important, and the team will need to produce convincing performances to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The doubleheader against Tanzania will therefore be crucial for Nigeria, with Chelle expected to select players he believes can handle the pressure and help the team secure maximum points.

The coach may decide to stick with more established options rather than bring in Alebiosu, who is still relatively new to the national team setup.

While the defender could offer an alternative at right-back, Chelle might prioritise experience and familiarity as he looks to strengthen his team for the decisive fixtures.

Alebiosu’s absence from the previous squad could also make it harder for him to force his way back into the team, especially if the players ahead of him continue to perform well at club level.

Nigeria need positive results in November to avoid putting their AFCON qualification campaign in further danger. Chelle may therefore favour players he trusts to deliver immediately, leaving Alebiosu with another wait for a national team recall.